These are the ratings for candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th Subcircuits issued today by the Chicago Council of Lawyers:
1st Subcircuit, Johnson Vacancy
Maria M. Barlow -- Not Recommended
Maria M. Barlow did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Hon. John Wellington Wilson -- Well Qualified
The Hon. John Wellington Wilson was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1996. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2021. Before becoming a judge, he spent his career at the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender, where he had served as an Attorney Supervisor. From 1997 to 2019, he was an Assistant Public Defender in the Homicide Task Force Unit/Felony Trial Division.
As a lawyer, Judge Wilson was considered to have very good legal ability. He is praised by opposing counsel and by judges for his litigation skills. He has substantial litigation experience in complex criminal law matters. He is reported to have excellent temperament and is praised for his integrity. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
4th Subcircuit, Gavin Vacancy
Nicholas A. Kantas -- Qualified
Nicholas A. Kantas was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994. He is an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where he currently serves as a second chair prosecutor in the Felony Trial Division. He has also served in the Office’s Felony Review Unit (2012-2014; Supervisor, 2015), Preliminary Hearings (2014), Juvenile Justice Division (2008-2012), and Child Support Enforcement (2004-2008). In 2009-2010, he worked for a real estate developer, JAB Realty, where he handled landlord-tenant disputes, lease agreements, evictions, and property tax assessments.
Mr. Kantas is considered to be a smart, hard-working prosecutor. He is reported to be well-prepared and hard-working with substantial experience in felony trial prosecution. Respondents praised his trial skills. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Amanda Moira Pillsbury -- Not Qualified
Amanda Moira Pillsbury was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2004. Since 2005, she has worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where she currently serves in the Felony Trial Division at the Leighton Criminal Court building. Her previous assignments there included the Felony Trial Division Skokie Courthouse; the Branch 66 Homicide and Sex Crimes Unit; the Grand Jury Unit; the Preliminary Hearings Unit; and the Felony Review Unit.
Ms. Pillsbury is considered to have good legal ability. Most respondents praised her temperament but a few noted that she can, on occasion, be abrasive with opposing counsel. She has substantial litigation experience although some respondents noted that a substantial amount of her experience has been in less complex matters. Most respondents praised her trial skills, although there were a few respondents who questioned her diligence. Most respondents praised her as a prosecutor. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
4th Subcircuit, Rogers Vacancy
Jerome C. Barrido -- Qualified
Jerome C. Barrido was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1999. He is a career Assistant Cook County Public Defender. He is currently assigned to a juvenile justice call in a suburban district, where he handles matters ranging from Class X felonies to misdemeanors. He has extensive adult felony and juvenile litigation experience. He is praised as having very good legal ability and temperament. He is considered to be very knowledgeable, and is praised for his trial skills. He is reported to be a zealous advocate while being respectful to judges and opposing counsel. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Chloe Gerogianna Pedersen -- Qualified
Chloe G. Pedersen was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2007. She has served as an Associate (2014-2019) and an Equity Partner (2019-present) for Fletcher & Sippel, LLC, where she represents employers in a full range of labor and employment matters before regulatory agencies and in state and federal court litigation. Previously she served as Chief Legal and Labor Counsel for the Cook County Recorder of Deeds (2012-2014), as Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General (2010-2012), as Assistant General Counsel to Speaker of the House of Representatives 96th General Assembly of the Illinois House of Representatives (2009), and as an Associate Attorney (2007-2009) at Querry & Harrow, Ltd., where she defended local municipal corporations and litigated a variety of other cases, including premises liability, personal injury, and insurance defense and coverage. She is a member of several bar associations, including the Illinois State Bar Association, where she sits on the Board of Governors (2021-present) and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, where she formerly sat on the Board of Directors (2012-2016).
Chloe Pederson is considered to have good legal ability and has had litigation experience in more complex matters. She is reported to be very knowledgeable in her areas of practice and reports a variety of published articles. She is reported to have a good demeanor and enjoys a reputation of always being prepared. She is active in the professional community in areas related to race and gender, and participates often as a presenter in seminars and lectures. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Shawn TeMiaundra Raines-Welch -- Qualified
ShawnTe Miaundra Raines-Welch was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2009. Since 2019, she has been a Partner at Ancel Glink, P.C., where she is a civil litigation defense attorney and acts as corporation counsel representing units of local government. Previously, she was an Associate Attorney at Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP (2011-2018), where she focused on employment and labor law, and an Attorney at Brustin & Lundblad, Ltd., where she litigated personal injury claims. She is a member of the Cook County Bar Association and the Black Women Lawyers’ Bar Association. She provides pro bono legal services as the Board Attorney for the District 89 Education Foundation and as a constituent volunteer for State Representative Emanuel Christopher Welch, where she serves seniors and veterans.
Ms. Raines-Welch is considered to have good legal ability. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters and is praised for her litigation skills. She is reported to have good temperament and provides substantial pro bono assistance. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Patrick Campanelli -- Not Qualified
Patrick Campanelli was admitted to practice in 1986. From 1986 to 1997 he served as an Assistant State’s Attorney and then left to start his own practice which consists of criminal defense, torts, chancery matters, and real estate. He has substantial litigation experience. Mr. Campanelli is considered to have good legal ability, but the reports involving his temperament are mixed. Some say that he has insulted opposing counsel and engaged in name calling on the record. Others have described other unprofessional behavior. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
5th Subcircuit, Portman-Brown Vacancy
Hon. David Lewis Kelly -- Qualified
The Hon. David Lewis Kelly was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2021. Before becoming a judge, he was a Solo Practitioner primarily focused on criminal defense, civil litigation, and real estate. Previously he was Of Counsel at the Property Law Group, LLC (2013-2015), where represented landlords and condominium associations, and investors and individuals in real estate transactions; and served as an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (2001-2006). He is a member of the Cook County Bar Association, where he has served as Executive Board Member/Secretary (2013-2015) and provided pro bono services in Expungement Workshops and the Legal Assistance Program for low-income individuals.
Judge Kelly is considered to have good legal ability. He is reported to be very knowledgeable with a good temperament. He has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. He is praised for his litigation skills and for his integrity. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Jenetia Marshall -- Qualified
Jenetia Marshall was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2004. Since 2019, she has worked for the Department of Child and Family Services, where she currently is Statewide Compliance Administrator and previously was Supervisor Regional Counsel. From 2003 to 2019, worked for the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian, where she served as Senior Attorney-Guardian Ad Litem II. She is a member of numerous bar associations, including the Black Women’s Lawyer Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Cook County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.
Ms. Marshall is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for her knowledge of the law in her area of practice. She has substantial litigation experience and is praised for her skills. She is reported to have a good temperament and is praised for her ability to work out settlements with opposing counsel. She is praised as being exceptionally hard working. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
5th Subcircuit, Shelley Vacancy
Timothy W. Wright -- Qualified
Timothy W. Wright was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1984. Since 2011, he has been a Partner at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, where he practices in the areas of transactional law, government affairs, public finance, and litigation. Previously, he was a Managing Partner at Gonzalez, Saggio and Harlan (2007-2011); Partner at Burris, Wright, Slaughter & Tom (2004-2007); General Counsel for WJYS, Tinley Park (1999-2003); Associate at Sachnoff and Weaver (1989-1993); Attorney for Business and Professional People for the Public Interest; and Judicial Clerk for Judge James Parsons, Northern District of Illinois (1983-1985).
Mr. Wright is considered to have good legal ability and has litigation experience. He is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Judie Lyn Smith -- Qualified
Judie Lyn Smith was admitted to practice in 1992. She serves as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender. She spent several years in private practice before joining the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. She is a court interpreter orientation trainer for the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.
Judie Lyn Smith is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for her temperament. She has a long career of criminal defense work. Many respondents to this evaluation praise her skills and her knowledge of the law. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Tiffany N. Brooks -- Not Qualified
Tiffany Brooks was admitted to practice in 2010. In 2011 she was employed as a staff attorney at Urban Partnership Bank. She was a sole practitioner between 2013 and 2020. From 2018 to 2020 she served as an Assistant Commissioner for the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection for the City of Chicago. From December 2020 to the present she is the General Counsel for the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Tiffany Brooks is considered to have good legal ability and has excelled in the variety of professional positions she has had. She is praised for her temperament. The Council is concerned, however, that she has limited trial and litigation experience. Her practice lacks sufficient breadth and depth to be a judge. She has been a lawyer for 12 years, but in only half of these has she provided individual representation. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Jackie Marie Portman-Brown -- Qualified
Jackie Marie Portman-Brown was elected to the bench in 2008 and left the bench in 2020. Prior to becoming a judge, she was general counsel at the Independent Police Review Authority from 2005 to 2008. From 1998 to 2005, she served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Former Judge Portman-Brown has served as the Presiding Judge of Adult Redeploy Illinois for the First Municipal District as well as the Presiding Judge of the State’s Attorney Office Deferred Prosecution Program. Some attorneys report that she is knowledgeable about the law and innovative, and that she applies the law with compassion. But other attorneys noted a pattern of judicial behavior demonstrating a lack of professionalism and some accused her of pre-judging cases.
In 2020, the Executive Committee of the Circuit Court referred a matter to the Judicial Inquiry Board. In a highly publicized situation Judge Portman-Brown had her grandniece locked in the lockup behind her courtroom as part of a discipline. Judge Portman-Brown has expressed regret for her actions; the JIB investigation is ongoing.
Her behavior on the bench has been described by some as quirky, but effective. Some lawyers praised her fairness on the bench in criminal law matters – particularly during the time after 2018 when she was assigned to a primarily narcotics courtroom in the Felony Trial Criminal Division. Her detractors say she is erratic and unpredictable. The Council has balanced the positive reviews Judge Portman has received against those who question her judgment. The Council on balance finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
6th Subcircuit, Araujo Vacancy
Hon. Charles S. Beach -- Qualified
The Hon. Charles S. Beach was admitted to practice in 1996. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2017 and was elected as an Associate Judge in 2018, Before becoming a judge, he was a sole practitioner doing primarily criminal defense work in felony and misdemeanor cases. The bulk of his practice is DUI defense. In addition to being a sole practitioner he was an associate in a small private practice firm doing criminal defense, was a Law Clerk to Illinois Appellate Justice Judith Koehler, and served for one year as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender. As a practitioner, Judge Beach was considered to very knowledgeable in the areas of law he practiced. He was considered to be an expert in DUI law and had experience in more complex litigation. As a judge, he is well respected for his court management and for his temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
6th Subcircuit, Vega Vacancy
David S. Rodriguez -- Qualified
David Rodriguez was admitted to practice in 1984. He served as a Commissioner of the Illinois Court of Claims between 2011 and 2017. He also served as First Deputy Commissioner of the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate from 1999 to 2005. From 1989 to 2005, he was Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate. From 1989 to 1999, he also served as an Assistant Attorney General handling litigation matters, including personal injury, reals estate, and commercial matters. He is very active in community activities.
Mr. Rodriguez .is considered to have good legal ability and knowledgeable. He is widely praised for his temperament. His litigation experience in more complex matters occurred while he was with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, but he was praised for his abilities as a Commissioner with the Court of Claims which has been described as being akin to a role as an administrative law judge. His experience with non-litigation matters has been with complex financial matters and he is reported to have done a solid job. In looking at the totality of his career, it appears that Mr. Rodriguez has had a variety of relevant experiences including litigation. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Kerrie Maloney Laytin -- Qualified
The Hon. Kerrie Maloney Laytin was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2000. She was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2019 and now serves as an Associate Judge, elected by the Circuit Judges. Before becoming a judge, she served as an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago’s Department of Law, where she practiced appellate law on behalf of the City of Chicago, City employees, and City agencies.
Previously, she worked as a staff attorney at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (2000-2002), and volunteered for Columbia Law School, Social Justice Initiatives, as the regional adviser in Chicago for students involved in government and public interest careers.
Judge Laytin is considered to have very good legal ability. As a lawyer, she was praised for legal skills and for her professional demeanor, even in the midst of heated legal matters. She is reported to have good judgment and has the ability to resolve contested disputes. Her appellate career has demonstrated the analytical thinking and management skills necessary to be a good Circuit Judge. She has been praised in her role as a judge. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
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